Document Type

Blog Post

Publication Date

3-10-2025

Abstract

The film adaptation of the best-selling novel, “It Ends With Us” depicts a tale of a seemingly romantic relationship turned abusive and how a woman grows beyond her experience with domestic abuse. The film and novel tell the story of Lilly, Blake Lively’s character, falling in love with Ryle, Justin Baldoni’s character, and how their relationship evolves for the worse. Despite the important message that the movie should be known for, it has now been caught in the cross-fire in the impending case between co-stars Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni. In December 2024, Lively filed a complaint against Baldoni claiming sexual harassment, retaliation, and more. Shortly after, Baldoni filed a $400 million lawsuit against Lively and her husband, Ryan Reynolds, accusing them of civil extortion and defamation. Not only does this suit involve multiple high-profiled celebrities, but it also has become the new internet obsession with the dispute going viral on TikTok and other social media sites. This dispute famously mirrors the concerns posed in the Amber Heard and Johnny Depp defamation trial. Although the dispute is not between former partners, it is a highly publicized dispute that has relied on the court of public opinion and the power of social media.


The print edition of the issue has also been released. This post was originally published on the Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution website on March 10, 2025.

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